simplify your home : a spring cleaning guide
As we journey into the last month of winter my thoughts naturally turn to spring; the season of unfurling and renewal. Spring is beautiful around these parts, especially the early, subtle signs; wild freesias, jacaranda blooms, the faint warmth come mid-afternoon.
I love a good spring clean and relish in the opportunity to declutter, cleanse and ultimately, come back to my priorities (that have, most definitely, wavered during the colder months). But as so many of you have expressed over the past year and as I have personally experienced, decluttering and spring-cleaning the family home is a slow, often hindered process that can easily become overwhelming. I’ve been thinking about this a lot over the past few weeks and thought it best to bring my thoughts here.
Whilst my house is in no way a picture perfect example of organisation and whilst I’m not professionally apt in the cleaning/organising/decluttering process I do know a think or two about simplifying the home. I’ve decided to approach this year’s spring clean realistically and a little methodically and I’m hoping that you’ll join me.
So, do you like the sound of a 12-week guided spring clean? Over the next few weeks I’ve planned a few posts that will act as an introduction; essential products (shop-bought and homemade) that will make your spring clean possible, recommended reads (and excerpts) and some hints and tips from bloggers who are passionate about simplicity. Come the first week of spring we’ll begin; we’ll start with some of the most used and visible areas of the house – the cutlery drawer, the kitchen bench etc. From there we’ll move onto the linen press, the toy box, the children’s wardrobes and on and on until spring comes to a close.
My aim is to encourage a half-an-hour of mindful cleaning here and there so you don’t feel the pressure to set aside an entire day (which, let’s face, isn’t going to happen for the majority of us). I’ll be cleaning a week in advance and will share my tips for the areas discussed each week.
Perhaps what I like most about this idea is that it’s a collective experience; a little cleaning camaraderie is essential when enthusiasm wanes.
So, who’s in?
update : this is also perfect for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere. Autumn is the ideal time to declutter and reorganise in preparation for the winter hibernation ahead.
Sounds fantastic! Can't wait to get into it
I always start out all gun-ho but lose interest pretty quick or somebody needs me for something & it breaks my concentration. I need a guide!
We'll be mid-summer here in California, but oh how I look forward to these posts / guide!
It'll also be a late summer clean for this Canadian, but I'm so game. Actually looking forward!
Looking forward to turning this Spring Cleaning series into a Fall Cleaning! 🙂
Oh, yes please. Sounds wonderful.
I've just been thinking that I needed some simplifying! It will be a late summer cleaning in this California home :]
I'm in even though we are in the heat of summer! My home will be nice and tidy come fall 🙂
I'm in!
There's a lot to do here especially all the dust from the fireplace and mould on the windowsills from condensation. I often do this alone each spring but to be part of an online group is much more fun. I'm in!
I'm in!
I'm in too!
I'll give it a go. I need all the motivation I can get!
I love decluttering, so count me in!
Yes please Jodi :))
Sounds ideal for me! Slowly easing back into the real world now Coralie is almost 3 months old, and realising how disorganised the house has become. It's started to get me down a bit! So much 'stuff' everywhere. Half an hour here and there sounds perfect. X
I'm in 🙂 Just a little bit excited too..fingers crossed I actually get organised this spring!
Sounds like a fantastic idea, I'm in! 🙂
YES!!!!! with 5 kids I need to spring clean!!!!!
Yes please! I love the idea of breaking it down into manageable sections and having that sense of the collective along the way… Makes the task seem much less daunting.
Sounds fabulous. I feel like the house hasn't had a decent clean since last spring when I was busy nesting in prep for our now 7 month old baby. The (online) "camaraderie" will be great motivation. Thanks Jodi x
Oh that's a very interesting idea. Even in the other hemisphere, I always have the feeling that my home need some simplicity and touches of cleaning. Half an hour from time to time, that's perfect for me. Count me in!
oh sure! I'm just about to do the same as my kids are away for a few days and it makes things much easier!
Ohh yes please! Looking forward to this… 😉
I'm in. I need nudging.
We're in the middle of summer here in Poland, but I'm definitely in :).
This sounds great! I need to declutter so bad!
It's mid summer overhere in the netherlands, but I love a to have a go getting at a cleaner house this autumn. So I am in too.
Count me in! and I am in the northern hemisphere, and I agree, Fall would be just the time to clean 🙂 summer is too precious to spend it indoors
Hello Jodi,I've been reading your blog for nearly a year and it's my absolute favourite one!I just can't wait to get your book!
I don't often comment but this lovely idea of getting started as a group is so fun I thought I had to thank you for that…I'm in France and the past days have been so dull and rainy that it feels like winter almost!!!
On my marks to get set for a clear clean Autumn….
And thanks for your inspiring words!!!I got 2 of the books you advised and felt so grateful for the discoveries…When you feel like inspiration is fading,please think of me-I love your writing x
Fantastic idea.
I'm in! Can't wait to get started!
Great idea, I need all the help I can get when it comes to cleaning and organising! x
I'm in! Thanks Jodi.
looking forward to this.
Perfect! Me – I'll join you…. Looking forward to your guides – sounds like half the hard work will be done. My procrastinating is often fuelled by overwhelm – so I love that you'll be breaking it down into manageable moments for us! You're a gem xxxx
That sounds wonderful! Penny L in Dorset U.K
A big yes from me – I'm in! Love this idea. Thank you x
i call it "editing" the house 🙂 looking forward to some helpful ideas.
I am so in! My mother-in-law just came down from Queensland and we filled two skips – and countless bags for the op-shop – but there's still a long way to go in the de-cluttering. Guidance will be so good!
I'm in (and of the autumn cleaning variety).
sounds great – looking forward to it!
Yes please! 🙂
I'm so in. I need all the help i can get. My house is so cluttered & disorganised it's stressing me out. We're actually about to buy a large shed so we can move all my husbands stuff he can't part with (he's a total hoarder) out of the house. I'm planning on holding a garage sale on the first Saturday of spring so i can shift some no longer wanted items. I'm excited!
Oh yes count me in!
I need help. Our house is a mess. So I'm definitely in.
Cute idea. I'm finding myself itching to do a spring clean at the moment (I think I just want it to BE spring already)….have you got Megan Morton's book 'Things I Love'? Theres's a handy little seasonal cleaning guide that I would like to say I refer to, but in reality I always read it and think 'oh yes, that's a great idea'…xxx
I do have that book and I have read that section but I want to break it down into really simply, drawer-by-drawer sections so it's achievable and in no way overwhelming. I really, really want spring to be here, too x
I would love to join in as well, even if I am in the Northern Hemisphere! I am always up for some purging and organizing.